Campaign calls for staff to be on lookout for potential forced marriage victims

A CAMPAIGNER against forced marriage is urging schools to be on the look-out for potential victims this summer.

Alex Jones, who founded a nationwide campaign dedicated to murdered Shafilea Ahmed, said although there had been considerable progress, education institutions were ‘still refusing to tackle’ the issue.

Shafilea ran away to Blackburn before being killed by her parents bec-ause she was Westernised, and refused to obey them.

Mr Jones, from It’s my right - No Forced Marriages, said her situation could potentially be happening to others in East Lancashire, and he urged teach-ers to take more responsibility when it comes to spotting those who could be at risk.

Shafilea’s parents Iftikhar and Farzana Ahmed were jailed for life in 2012 after being convicted of their daughter’s murder.

Mr Jones said: “We can’t have this continuation of those who reach out from despair to try and find hope, to only find it’s met with an open culture of dismissal. To have this degrades the courage of those who have fought to reach out.

He said preventative measures taken throughout the school year could stop youngsters being taken away during the long summer break.

Mr Jones added: “Action is pivotal to saving lives. The frontline of protection starts in the classroom.

“The fundamental messages that we must get them to realise are that nobody can be allowed to go missing. It’s everyone’s right to be educated, to have a life of their own choices, and to be free to choose who they marry.”

Les Turner, Lancashire secretary for the National Association of Headteach-ers, said teachers were passionate about keeping their pupils safe, and worked closely with social ser-vices and the police to tackle the problem.

He said: “Schools are being blamed for the probl-ems in our society, but schools do not create society’s problems, they have to deal with them.

“Teachers try to confront the issue and schools have a responsibility to safeguard children.

“Therefore, to turn around and say schools do not take seriously the problem of forced marriage is absolutely ludicrous.

“Any teacher, or member of staff in a school, that does not try to confront that issue is failing in their responsibility.”

Comments (18)

For this girl to be murdered by her family is a personal disaster, as the younger Asian generation grow up over here they will want to go out and mix with other people, there was the odd time I disobeyed my parents and I got a good hiding from my Dad, in later life he told me that's what his generation did, today we don't do that sort of thing although it did teach me right from wrong.
The older Asian generation are going to have to let go slowly but surely, and as different generations grow up these happenings will be in time a thing of the past (hopefully).

God where allowed to comment, well done LT.
For this girl to be murdered by her family is a personal disaster, as the younger Asian generation grow up over here they will want to go out and mix with other people, there was the odd time I disobeyed my parents and I got a good hiding from my Dad, in later life he told me that's what his generation did, today we don't do that sort of thing although it did teach me right from wrong.
The older Asian generation are going to have to let go slowly but surely, and as different generations grow up these happenings will be in time a thing of the past (hopefully).Old age pensioner

Correct me if i am wrong but is this not the same as human trafficking. or false imprisonment and should it not attract the same penalties?
Never seen any court cases involving forced marriage though have you?
I wonder why that is.

Correct me if i am wrong but is this not the same as human trafficking. or false imprisonment and should it not attract the same penalties?
Never seen any court cases involving forced marriage though have you?
I wonder why that is.shytalk

ln the united kingdom we cannot allow such outdated ideology,forced marriage is illegal in this democracy and if you don,t accept it then l suggest you return to a country that allows it . l can understand old traditions of the muslim communities but this is the 21st century we should not even be discussing this.

ln the united kingdom we cannot allow such outdated ideology,forced marriage is illegal in this democracy and if you don,t accept it then l suggest you return to a country that allows it . l can understand old traditions of the muslim communities but this is the 21st century we should not even be discussing this.noddy57

The older Asian generation are going to have to let go slowly but surely, and as different generations grow up these happenings will be in time a thing of the past (hopefully).
I wish you could be right OAP,but it just won't happen for a number of reasons. One is that when immigration from the Indian sub continent first began in the 50's, the powers that be mistakenly claimed that there would be no problem because after a couple of generations they would have adopted our way of life. Look around you and tell me if this has happened.
Another reason is that as the old Asian generation has died off, they have been replaced by younger extremely vociferous zealots who are more than ever determined to maintain traditions and customs. Check out what is happening in schools in Birmingham, Bradford and elsewhere. Like many I would like to see integration, but I am sorry to say it will never happen.

The older Asian generation are going to have to let go slowly but surely, and as different generations grow up these happenings will be in time a thing of the past (hopefully).
I wish you could be right OAP,but it just won't happen for a number of reasons. One is that when immigration from the Indian sub continent first began in the 50's, the powers that be mistakenly claimed that there would be no problem because after a couple of generations they would have adopted our way of life. Look around you and tell me if this has happened.
Another reason is that as the old Asian generation has died off, they have been replaced by younger extremely vociferous zealots who are more than ever determined to maintain traditions and customs. Check out what is happening in schools in Birmingham, Bradford and elsewhere. Like many I would like to see integration, but I am sorry to say it will never happen.Izanears

Ironically, the greater awareness of forced marriage is because the younger generation of Asian Muslims (especially the young women) will no longer accept it. They are integrating more than the older generations.

For the first generation of immigrants, they carried on the ways of their country of origin and their sons and daughters basically went along. So nothing was heard of forced marriages. But now we are into the third or fourth generations, the grandchildren and great grandchildren of those immigrants have been brought up in this country and like the freedoms that we enjoy. So they won't just go along with the family's wishes.

As young Asian Muslim women won't go along with the family's wishes some families try to force them - hence more attempts at forced marriages. And why, for the first time, forced marriages were made illegal in this country in 2007.

Ironically, the greater awareness of forced marriage is because the younger generation of Asian Muslims (especially the young women) will no longer accept it. They are integrating more than the older generations.
For the first generation of immigrants, they carried on the ways of their country of origin and their sons and daughters basically went along. So nothing was heard of forced marriages. But now we are into the third or fourth generations, the grandchildren and great grandchildren of those immigrants have been brought up in this country and like the freedoms that we enjoy. So they won't just go along with the family's wishes.
As young Asian Muslim women won't go along with the family's wishes some families try to force them - hence more attempts at forced marriages. And why, for the first time, forced marriages were made illegal in this country in 2007.Excluded again

Thank you for everyone who has read this article. You can be a part of the campaign on facebook
In memory of Shafilea Ahmed
https://www.facebook
.com/groups/shafilea
hmedmemorial/
https://www.facebook
.com/pages/Its-My-Ri
ght-No-Forced-Marria
ges/441643382612143Alex_campaigner

Izanears wrote:
The older Asian generation are going to have to let go slowly but surely, and as different generations grow up these happenings will be in time a thing of the past (hopefully).
I wish you could be right OAP,but it just won't happen for a number of reasons. One is that when immigration from the Indian sub continent first began in the 50's, the powers that be mistakenly claimed that there would be no problem because after a couple of generations they would have adopted our way of life. Look around you and tell me if this has happened.
Another reason is that as the old Asian generation has died off, they have been replaced by younger extremely vociferous zealots who are more than ever determined to maintain traditions and customs. Check out what is happening in schools in Birmingham, Bradford and elsewhere. Like many I would like to see integration, but I am sorry to say it will never happen.

The sad thing is I know what you say is true, at my age I don't think I will every see proper integration with the Asian community.

[quote][p][bold]Izanears[/bold] wrote:
The older Asian generation are going to have to let go slowly but surely, and as different generations grow up these happenings will be in time a thing of the past (hopefully).
I wish you could be right OAP,but it just won't happen for a number of reasons. One is that when immigration from the Indian sub continent first began in the 50's, the powers that be mistakenly claimed that there would be no problem because after a couple of generations they would have adopted our way of life. Look around you and tell me if this has happened.
Another reason is that as the old Asian generation has died off, they have been replaced by younger extremely vociferous zealots who are more than ever determined to maintain traditions and customs. Check out what is happening in schools in Birmingham, Bradford and elsewhere. Like many I would like to see integration, but I am sorry to say it will never happen.[/p][/quote]The sad thing is I know what you say is true, at my age I don't think I will every see proper integration with the Asian community.Old age pensioner

In the United Kingdom in 2014 we are urging teachers to look out for signs of a practice which frankly belongs in the stoneage.

Forced marriage, honour killings - why do we insist on giving these criminal acts their own category? As a previous poster has already stated, which ever way you try flower it up its simply false imprisonment, kidnap and human trafficking and should be dealt with as such. In fact "forced marriages" should be a specific criminal offence in this country.

These backward, antiquated and barbaric "traditions" don't belong anywhere in a democratic society so if the organisers of such shambolic practices want to carry on this behaviour as part of their religious heritage then please take it with you to the third world backward cesspit from whence you came.

In the United Kingdom in 2014 we are urging teachers to look out for signs of a practice which frankly belongs in the stoneage.
Forced marriage, honour killings - why do we insist on giving these criminal acts their own category? As a previous poster has already stated, which ever way you try flower it up its simply false imprisonment, kidnap and human trafficking and should be dealt with as such. In fact "forced marriages" should be a specific criminal offence in this country.
These backward, antiquated and barbaric "traditions" don't belong anywhere in a democratic society so if the organisers of such shambolic practices want to carry on this behaviour as part of their religious heritage then please take it with you to the third world backward cesspit from whence you came.Steven Seagull

Steven Seagull wrote:
In the United Kingdom in 2014 we are urging teachers to look out for signs of a practice which frankly belongs in the stoneage.

Forced marriage, honour killings - why do we insist on giving these criminal acts their own category? As a previous poster has already stated, which ever way you try flower it up its simply false imprisonment, kidnap and human trafficking and should be dealt with as such. In fact &quot;forced marriages" should be a specific criminal offence in this country.

These backward, antiquated and barbaric "traditions" don't belong anywhere in a democratic society so if the organisers of such shambolic practices want to carry on this behaviour as part of their religious heritage then please take it with you to the third world backward cesspit from whence you came.

Force marriage is a specific criminal offence in this country and has been since the Forced Marriage Act 2007.

[quote][p][bold]Steven Seagull[/bold] wrote:
In the United Kingdom in 2014 we are urging teachers to look out for signs of a practice which frankly belongs in the stoneage.
Forced marriage, honour killings - why do we insist on giving these criminal acts their own category? As a previous poster has already stated, which ever way you try flower it up its simply false imprisonment, kidnap and human trafficking and should be dealt with as such. In fact "forced marriages" should be a specific criminal offence in this country.
These backward, antiquated and barbaric "traditions" don't belong anywhere in a democratic society so if the organisers of such shambolic practices want to carry on this behaviour as part of their religious heritage then please take it with you to the third world backward cesspit from whence you came.[/p][/quote]Force marriage is a specific criminal offence in this country and has been since the Forced Marriage Act 2007.Excluded again

Steven Seagull wrote:
In the United Kingdom in 2014 we are urging teachers to look out for signs of a practice which frankly belongs in the stoneage.

Forced marriage, honour killings - why do we insist on giving these criminal acts their own category? As a previous poster has already stated, which ever way you try flower it up its simply false imprisonment, kidnap and human trafficking and should be dealt with as such. In fact &quot;forced marriages" should be a specific criminal offence in this country.

These backward, antiquated and barbaric "traditions" don't belong anywhere in a democratic society so if the organisers of such shambolic practices want to carry on this behaviour as part of their religious heritage then please take it with you to the third world backward cesspit from whence you came.

Why is it that we get lumberd with these people from third world countries , the scum usually . We always get left to sort out their problems , at our expence while housing them and paying every benefit on offer . Ukip does sound attractive !

[quote][p][bold]Steven Seagull[/bold] wrote:
In the United Kingdom in 2014 we are urging teachers to look out for signs of a practice which frankly belongs in the stoneage.
Forced marriage, honour killings - why do we insist on giving these criminal acts their own category? As a previous poster has already stated, which ever way you try flower it up its simply false imprisonment, kidnap and human trafficking and should be dealt with as such. In fact "forced marriages" should be a specific criminal offence in this country.
These backward, antiquated and barbaric "traditions" don't belong anywhere in a democratic society so if the organisers of such shambolic practices want to carry on this behaviour as part of their religious heritage then please take it with you to the third world backward cesspit from whence you came.[/p][/quote]Why is it that we get lumberd with these people from third world countries , the scum usually . We always get left to sort out their problems , at our expence while housing them and paying every benefit on offer . Ukip does sound attractive !Steven11

Excluded again wrote:
Ironically, the greater awareness of forced marriage is because the younger generation of Asian Muslims (especially the young women) will no longer accept it. They are integrating more than the older generations.

For the first generation of immigrants, they carried on the ways of their country of origin and their sons and daughters basically went along. So nothing was heard of forced marriages. But now we are into the third or fourth generations, the grandchildren and great grandchildren of those immigrants have been brought up in this country and like the freedoms that we enjoy. So they won't just go along with the family's wishes.

As young Asian Muslim women won't go along with the family's wishes some families try to force them - hence more attempts at forced marriages. And why, for the first time, forced marriages were made illegal in this country in 2007.

Maybe some young asian women try to fight back but the cowardly brothers, cousins and fathers murder them....how very brave to beat and kill a young girl....not much greater family shame than that I would have thought.

[quote][p][bold]Excluded again[/bold] wrote:
Ironically, the greater awareness of forced marriage is because the younger generation of Asian Muslims (especially the young women) will no longer accept it. They are integrating more than the older generations.
For the first generation of immigrants, they carried on the ways of their country of origin and their sons and daughters basically went along. So nothing was heard of forced marriages. But now we are into the third or fourth generations, the grandchildren and great grandchildren of those immigrants have been brought up in this country and like the freedoms that we enjoy. So they won't just go along with the family's wishes.
As young Asian Muslim women won't go along with the family's wishes some families try to force them - hence more attempts at forced marriages. And why, for the first time, forced marriages were made illegal in this country in 2007.[/p][/quote]Maybe some young asian women try to fight back but the cowardly brothers, cousins and fathers murder them....how very brave to beat and kill a young girl....not much greater family shame than that I would have thought.Primus622

Steven Seagull wrote:
In the United Kingdom in 2014 we are urging teachers to look out for signs of a practice which frankly belongs in the stoneage.

Forced marriage, honour killings - why do we insist on giving these criminal acts their own category? As a previous poster has already stated, which ever way you try flower it up its simply false imprisonment, kidnap and human trafficking and should be dealt with as such. In fact &quot;forced marriages" should be a specific criminal offence in this country.

These backward, antiquated and barbaric "traditions" don't belong anywhere in a democratic society so if the organisers of such shambolic practices want to carry on this behaviour as part of their religious heritage then please take it with you to the third world backward cesspit from whence you came.

Force marriage is a specific criminal offence in this country and has been since the Forced Marriage Act 2007.

May be but what's the point of this law when it very rarely gets used,and we all know why

[quote][p][bold]Excluded again[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Steven Seagull[/bold] wrote:
In the United Kingdom in 2014 we are urging teachers to look out for signs of a practice which frankly belongs in the stoneage.
Forced marriage, honour killings - why do we insist on giving these criminal acts their own category? As a previous poster has already stated, which ever way you try flower it up its simply false imprisonment, kidnap and human trafficking and should be dealt with as such. In fact "forced marriages" should be a specific criminal offence in this country.
These backward, antiquated and barbaric "traditions" don't belong anywhere in a democratic society so if the organisers of such shambolic practices want to carry on this behaviour as part of their religious heritage then please take it with you to the third world backward cesspit from whence you came.[/p][/quote]Force marriage is a specific criminal offence in this country and has been since the Forced Marriage Act 2007.[/p][/quote]May be but what's the point of this law when it very rarely gets used,and we all know whyzabby

Steven Seagull wrote:
In the United Kingdom in 2014 we are urging teachers to look out for signs of a practice which frankly belongs in the stoneage.

Forced marriage, honour killings - why do we insist on giving these criminal acts their own category? As a previous poster has already stated, which ever way you try flower it up its simply false imprisonment, kidnap and human trafficking and should be dealt with as such. In fact &quot;forced marriages" should be a specific criminal offence in this country.

These backward, antiquated and barbaric "traditions" don't belong anywhere in a democratic society so if the organisers of such shambolic practices want to carry on this behaviour as part of their religious heritage then please take it with you to the third world backward cesspit from whence you came.

Force marriage is a specific criminal offence in this country and has been since the Forced Marriage Act 2007.

May be but what's the point of this law when it very rarely gets used,and we all know why

The Forced Marriages unit dealt with 1302 cases in 2013.

I guess it all depends on your definition of 'rarely'.

[quote][p][bold]zabby[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Excluded again[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Steven Seagull[/bold] wrote:
In the United Kingdom in 2014 we are urging teachers to look out for signs of a practice which frankly belongs in the stoneage.
Forced marriage, honour killings - why do we insist on giving these criminal acts their own category? As a previous poster has already stated, which ever way you try flower it up its simply false imprisonment, kidnap and human trafficking and should be dealt with as such. In fact "forced marriages" should be a specific criminal offence in this country.
These backward, antiquated and barbaric "traditions" don't belong anywhere in a democratic society so if the organisers of such shambolic practices want to carry on this behaviour as part of their religious heritage then please take it with you to the third world backward cesspit from whence you came.[/p][/quote]Force marriage is a specific criminal offence in this country and has been since the Forced Marriage Act 2007.[/p][/quote]May be but what's the point of this law when it very rarely gets used,and we all know why[/p][/quote]The Forced Marriages unit dealt with 1302 cases in 2013.
I guess it all depends on your definition of 'rarely'.Excluded again

I'm Anglo-Pakistani, I'm deeply passionate about being a part of making defining differences that will save lives from this torment and empowerment to break the barriers. I started the campaign. Shafilea Ahmed's story is where it started for me and I have never stopped. I knew that I had to make a difference. No life can be held behind barriers of silence, fear and abuse. Those who carry this out believe they are untouchable but their campaigns of hatred have no where left to go now. Empowerment is crucial and we all have a voice.

I'm Anglo-Pakistani, I'm deeply passionate about being a part of making defining differences that will save lives from this torment and empowerment to break the barriers. I started the campaign. Shafilea Ahmed's story is where it started for me and I have never stopped. I knew that I had to make a difference. No life can be held behind barriers of silence, fear and abuse. Those who carry this out believe they are untouchable but their campaigns of hatred have no where left to go now. Empowerment is crucial and we all have a voice.
Here's the petition that we going as a part our campaign.
http://www.change.or
g/en-GB/petitions/mi
chael-gove-get-schoo
ls-to-take-action-on
-forced-marriage-and
-honour-based-violen
ceAlex_campaigner